Infographics are fun and they’re becoming more and more popular this year especially, so when I see one that’s as interesting as the one below I get excited and must share.

Source:LiveScience

OTHER USEFUL FACTS FROM THE INFOGRAPHIC–
Less than one-quarter of babies in the U.S. are still being breast-fed 12 months after birth, according to a 2011 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s nutrition branch. In sharp contrast, a survey of 79 countries by The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) found that more than half of the children were still breast-feeding at 2 years.

Multiple studies show that breast-feeding is beneficial for both mother and infant. Breast milk reduces allergies, colds, infections and other health problems. It also boosts the baby’s immune system, protecting them from illnesses.

Breast-fed babies have lower rates of ear infections, eczema, diarrhea, lower respiratory tract infections, sudden infant death syndrome, obesity, leukemia and childhood diabetes.

Mothers who breast-feed have lower rates of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, followed by breast-feeding in combination with the introduction of complementary foods until at least 12 months of age, and continued breast-feeding as long as mother and baby chose to do so. However, most mothers in the U.S. do not breast-feed the recommended six months, which researchers theorize may contribute to more health issues in the future.

Breastfeeding is so important in brain health and development for babies. I will say though that I actually thought I would only breastfeed Arianna for 6 months at most. But the bonding experience I get with her and the incredible feeling of being her food source is so empowering and fulfilling as a mother. And now  I can’t imagine not breast-feeding my LO for that extra 6 months until she turns 1 year old.

When did you stop breast-feeding your LO?

XoG

image: heartshaped lolipop / kmhcandy

Hello my loyal blog readers!  How are you my darlings? I hope you’re having a fantastic week…are you all ready for the upcoming long Memorial Day weekend (US readers), and my loves in London, I miss you all!

Ok, so as you may have noticed (gosh, I hope you noticed), I have not posted in a week. And if you’ve been reading you know why. I have been working on merging my mommy blog and my fashion / lifestyle blog into one main blog site. And today, I am happy to present to you the launch of my new blog, dreamlovebelieve.com, whoo hoo! I am extremely excited to have one blog that I can interact with all of you on. Trust me, managing multiple blogs, an online column and being a full time working mommy is not easy, so it had to be done. Don’t worry, all of your favorite posts and comments have been exported into dreamlovebelieve.com.

So why Believe Dream Love?

Coming up with a name for the new blog was not easy. I tried to come up with something that was personal and memorable that ultimately reflected my personal interests. It turns out I was over-thinking the name. One day, I thought what if I were to give my daughter one very important piece of advice and motto to live by, what would I tell her? Then it clicked, I’d want her to Believe in herself, Dream BIG, and Love herself for who she is; hence ‘Believe Dream Love‘.

The one comment that did not make it over to this blog is my recent blog nomination from the fabulous Fashion and Style Guru blog, http://fashionstyleguru.wordpress.com. They have nominated yours truly for the Kreativ Blogger Award! I was (and still am) humbled to receive the award nomination and I’m so completely grateful to be recognized. I thank all of you who read and follow my blog posts for making this possible. I hope I will continue to live up to your expectations. I will be posting my official acceptance post for the nomination. Thank you, Fashion and Style Guru blog! Xo

Please bookmark the new blog site so you can continue to visit regularly. I would love for you to please FOLLOW the blog, just click on the FOLLOW button on the left or right sidebars, you can even follow via email! (WordPress does not allow import of followers so you have to follow again).

Please let me know what you think about the new blog, share your comments below!

Xo

Glor

Oh, remember a couple of weeks ago when I said I would be merging this blog with my mommy blog? Well, if you don’t read it here to refresh your memory…I’m actually working on the new blog now and will be doing a big unveiling next week possibly. (And I’m still going to be giving free stuff away too). I’ll need your help please with linking to it in your blogroll, commenting and following. I’d also love your feedback / suggestions on what you think. So please be on the lookout for that next week.

I finally had a small window of time after sitting through 3.5 hours website meeting to go through my emails and I saw an update from elle.com. Omg, I love wedding looks, don’t you? I thought I’d share these cute photos from elle.com with you to see what you think. Two of my best friends are engaged and getting married in the next year and I love living vicariously through their wedding planning process!

I love the bohemian look, super adorable!

Btw, happy #TGIF! Any big plans for the weekend?!

XoG

(Photo credit: elle.com)

What’s your favorite online shopping site(s)?

XoG

(Download PDF version) | source: theladder.com

Do you agree w/the survey?

Yesterday was doggie+mommy day. Spent some time w/my rescue, Jolie.

Today was my first mother’s day. I spent the day with my daughter and boyfriend.

See my mother’s day in pics here>>  http://ow.ly/1M9JDZ

My day ended with a spa mani/pedi.

I hope you had a fantastic day with your mom, and if you’re a mom, happy mother’s day!

XoG

My mom sent me a text message wishing me a happy mother’s day saying,…

“Happy mother’s day, baby. Now you can see the joy and full womanhood in life I told you about…. I love you.”

My day started w/90 minutes of Bikram; first time in a year and a half! I am SO out of shape, but it was absolutely exhilarating!

When I got home, Daddy+Arianna had two vases of flowers, cards and a cocktail ring gift waiting for me.

We went to Chima for Mother’s Day lunch where we enjoyed decadent selections of roast beef sirloins, boneless chicken wrapped in bacon, skirt steak wrapped in bacon, salmon with an assortment of salad from the salad bar.

I had some icebergs+plum fresh tomatoes+soybeans+portabella mushroom+baby spinach

Decadent bread+crab balls for appetizer, they’re delish!

I enjoyed a glass of Mimosa… ok, I enjoyed two…

Happy tummy, waiting for dessert…

I’m not a big dessert fan so I always settle for ice cream (Neapolitan)…

Daddy had creme brulee

What a perfect first Mother’s Day! Baby Arianna slept through lunch in mommy’s hands.

…You were right mom, being a mom is the best!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers out there!

XoG

Source: http://FrugalDad.com

Window display at Nordstrom. I stopped in over the weekend to look at some items for my daughter, Arianna. I love the yellow dress, so adorable.

She makes me feel complete, inside + out!

And speaking of fashion + shopping, these are some of my inspirations for baby this spring. I love these adorable mini Boden reversible hats. We picked up similar styles from H&M for Arianna.

I hope you’re inspired to go shopping for your LO this weekend!

xoG

…with these beautiful set of Dior, Essie and L’Oreal lacquers that are so vibrant they literally make me happy looking at them!

I hope you’re having a fantastic Friday!

Xo,
Glor